1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools.
My favorite tool from this experience has been the blog in general. I can't wait to see the students write about their favorite books and comment on each other's thoughts. Hopefully this will make them eager to keep on reading so they can write on their blog.
Another tool I'm excited about using is the I-Touches. I've seen my students play general games on them during their library time. I look forward to getting some of the apps I looked at download onto them. This way they can continue learning while playing on the I-Touches.
A third tool I plan on using this next year is Wiki/Google Documents. This will make a great tool to use in collaborative writing. The students can write together without always having to be together. I think a great introduction to this application would be a continuous story on the document. I could start with one sentence "There once was a boy named Doug." The students would then get to take turns during their time to go to the computer to add to the story. Different groups would come up with different tales. I think the students would really enjoy seeing how each story turned out differently.
2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?
After this experience I've really come around to realizing that technology can easily be incorporated into my lessons. When I first started this experience I didn't think I would find any use for these tools. Now, I know that I can use these tools to help grab and keep my students attention. They will make the lessons more enjoyable and help them become familiar with technology.
3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
The only unexpected outcome from this program was the amount of time it took to complete. Some tools came easily (Google documents, Google reader, Avatar), but others took a long time for me to get familiar enough with to understand how to complete the task being assigned (Jing, Wiki, Imagine Generators, PhotoStory).
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tool #11
Good Digital Citizens:
- know when it's appropriate to give out information. They know that just because they are online doesn't mean the person can't take your information and use it against you. Please don't tell strangers online your name, address, phone number, etc. Stranger Danger! is a good rule for online and off line.
- know that not everything you read online is real. Just because a website says something does not make it true.
- know how to behave online. They know to use appropriate language. They know that the other person cannot hear their voice and might not understand a joke. Always be kind and precise when writing online.
- know how to look at a site and know if it's a good one or bad. They know that they cannot take the first page that pops up on a google search. They need to use an academic search engine and check the validity of the information.
Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.
I would teach the concept of digital citizenship by comparing the rules to that of being a good citizen in real life. A Venn diagram would be a great way to help the students visually see what I was talking about. I would have the students draw different rules and come place them under the correct part of the Venn diagram.
Some rules would be:
- Never give personal information to a stranger
- If I read it, it must be true
- Always be kind
- Always check your site first to make sure it's valid
- If you feel scared ask a parent or police officer for help
The students could also pair up and come up with their own rules to place in the Venn diagram.
- know when it's appropriate to give out information. They know that just because they are online doesn't mean the person can't take your information and use it against you. Please don't tell strangers online your name, address, phone number, etc. Stranger Danger! is a good rule for online and off line.
- know that not everything you read online is real. Just because a website says something does not make it true.
- know how to behave online. They know to use appropriate language. They know that the other person cannot hear their voice and might not understand a joke. Always be kind and precise when writing online.
- know how to look at a site and know if it's a good one or bad. They know that they cannot take the first page that pops up on a google search. They need to use an academic search engine and check the validity of the information.
Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.
I would teach the concept of digital citizenship by comparing the rules to that of being a good citizen in real life. A Venn diagram would be a great way to help the students visually see what I was talking about. I would have the students draw different rules and come place them under the correct part of the Venn diagram.
Some rules would be:
- Never give personal information to a stranger
- If I read it, it must be true
- Always be kind
- Always check your site first to make sure it's valid
- If you feel scared ask a parent or police officer for help
The students could also pair up and come up with their own rules to place in the Venn diagram.
Tool #10
1 & 3. Discuss some of the free educational apps you reviewed. Discuss ways your students could use the iTouch or iPad and appropriate apps in your class.
1. Math Drills Lite: Is a great way for the students to practice their math facts. The technology aspect of it doesn't make it seem so redundant. Each question has fingers, blocks, or number lines to help you solve the problem. I think this would a be a great way to warm up for math.
2. USA Presidents: This would be a great social studies station. The students get to look at flashcards about the different presidents. They can learn facts about them and then answer questions about the fact cards. The cards remind me of baseball cards. I think the students would get excited to show each other the Presidential card they have on their screen.
3. Science Books: This would be a great addition to the classroom library. The students will be able to read science texts on an I-Touch. Science books are usually put aside because they are to "hard". I think by them being on the I-Touch the students will be more eager to read them. The books due appear to be for a higher reading level than where my students are, but I think the older grades could use them.
4. Space Images: This app would be a great way to get the students excited about their space unit. The app has a ton of great images from NASA of space. It includes pictures of the stars and planets.
Overall I think the I-Touches/I-Pads would be great for stations, previews, reviews, lessons, etc. They are just another way to make the students feel like they are "playing" instead of learning.
2. If you had an opportunity to play with one of the devices, briefly describe your experience. Was there a WOW moment?
This past year our library had I-Touches for the students to use. My WOW moment was just watching my first graders use the I-Touches. I just knew that my 1st graders were going to need a ton of help with the I-Touches. I foresaw myself getting a massive headache from trying to be the technology help for my students. Out of twelve students, I didn't have to help a single one of them! I was amazed at how easily they just took to them. A lot of them had never used them before, but could figure out what was needed to make something work. I was so proud of my kiddos!
1. Math Drills Lite: Is a great way for the students to practice their math facts. The technology aspect of it doesn't make it seem so redundant. Each question has fingers, blocks, or number lines to help you solve the problem. I think this would a be a great way to warm up for math.
2. USA Presidents: This would be a great social studies station. The students get to look at flashcards about the different presidents. They can learn facts about them and then answer questions about the fact cards. The cards remind me of baseball cards. I think the students would get excited to show each other the Presidential card they have on their screen.
3. Science Books: This would be a great addition to the classroom library. The students will be able to read science texts on an I-Touch. Science books are usually put aside because they are to "hard". I think by them being on the I-Touch the students will be more eager to read them. The books due appear to be for a higher reading level than where my students are, but I think the older grades could use them.
4. Space Images: This app would be a great way to get the students excited about their space unit. The app has a ton of great images from NASA of space. It includes pictures of the stars and planets.
Overall I think the I-Touches/I-Pads would be great for stations, previews, reviews, lessons, etc. They are just another way to make the students feel like they are "playing" instead of learning.
2. If you had an opportunity to play with one of the devices, briefly describe your experience. Was there a WOW moment?
This past year our library had I-Touches for the students to use. My WOW moment was just watching my first graders use the I-Touches. I just knew that my 1st graders were going to need a ton of help with the I-Touches. I foresaw myself getting a massive headache from trying to be the technology help for my students. Out of twelve students, I didn't have to help a single one of them! I was amazed at how easily they just took to them. A lot of them had never used them before, but could figure out what was needed to make something work. I was so proud of my kiddos!
Tool #9
1. Discuss how the screencast could help your students and how you might have students use Jing.
The screencast could help my students by being a great way to demonstrate the different steps for a project. I could pre-make a project to give the students an example, but have the different screen shots to show them the steps. This would take less time than demonstrating each step and waiting for the computer to load up each new screen in the classroom. Plus the students could access the screen shots at a later date if they needed clarification on a step.
I could have the students use Jing to introduce new students to the classroom programs we use in computer lab. This would allow new students to learn from their peers. Also, it gives me a chance to see who know exactly how to use each program correctly.
2. Discuss how you might use Skype with your students and share across the district, the state, the nation, or the world!
I can see using Skype with my students to hold interviews with different people in the community. When learning about community helpers the class could Skype with police officer, firefighters, doctors, etc. This would alleviate all the steps of getting a volunteered cleared to come to the classroom, waiting for them to arrive, and keeping them for questions. The date and time could be set up and the presenter could talk to the students. Plus the presenter could possibly Skype from their place of work which could lead to a virtual field trip. This would make lessons more interactive and meaningful to the students because they could view what they are learning about in a real scenario.
Skype would also be a great way to communicate with other teachers in the district about projects. The teachers could show each other samples over the video in Skype without having to take things off of the wall and bring them to a meeting place.
Skype would also be a great way for new teachers to watch master teachers teach a lesson. The new teacher could watch a lesson during her planning time and not have to worry about being a distraction in the classroom.
The screencast could help my students by being a great way to demonstrate the different steps for a project. I could pre-make a project to give the students an example, but have the different screen shots to show them the steps. This would take less time than demonstrating each step and waiting for the computer to load up each new screen in the classroom. Plus the students could access the screen shots at a later date if they needed clarification on a step.
I could have the students use Jing to introduce new students to the classroom programs we use in computer lab. This would allow new students to learn from their peers. Also, it gives me a chance to see who know exactly how to use each program correctly.
2. Discuss how you might use Skype with your students and share across the district, the state, the nation, or the world!
I can see using Skype with my students to hold interviews with different people in the community. When learning about community helpers the class could Skype with police officer, firefighters, doctors, etc. This would alleviate all the steps of getting a volunteered cleared to come to the classroom, waiting for them to arrive, and keeping them for questions. The date and time could be set up and the presenter could talk to the students. Plus the presenter could possibly Skype from their place of work which could lead to a virtual field trip. This would make lessons more interactive and meaningful to the students because they could view what they are learning about in a real scenario.
Skype would also be a great way to communicate with other teachers in the district about projects. The teachers could show each other samples over the video in Skype without having to take things off of the wall and bring them to a meeting place.
Skype would also be a great way for new teachers to watch master teachers teach a lesson. The new teacher could watch a lesson during her planning time and not have to worry about being a distraction in the classroom.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Tool #8
Videos are great for the classroom! I used them last year as attention getters and reviews. I plan on using them again this next year.
How are videos useful for my students?1. The students think it's fun to watch a video and not listen to the teacher.
2. The videos are easy to find.
3. The students go home and try to show them to their parents.
4. It's easier/less time consuming than creating a your own video or power point presentation from scratch.
Below are the two videos that I plan on using in my classroom next year:
The Rain Forest - This video would serve as a great preview for my students before they go learn about the rain forest. The video discusses the different locations and attributes of the rainforests. This video was found on youtube.
The Water Cycle - This video is a great visual of the water cycle. It uses the proper terminology and does a great job of illustrating the different stages. There is not a voice on this video. So the teacher would need to discuss it with the students as they watch it if it's going to be used for preview. Or the teacher could have the students watch it after a water cycle lesson and have them journal about the video.
Tool #7
Digital storytelling has been an interesting tool. It was fairly easy to make in the PhotoStory. The preview looked great. However, when I opened it to just play it, the writing would be blurry. I've also struggled with getting the video to download onto the blog. I can get the screen inserted on the blog post. However, it just keeps saying it's downloading and nothing changes. Anyone have ideas on how to fix these problems?
How will my students use digital stories in the classroom?
1. They can bring their creative writing to life. They can take their collaborative writings and make them into a movie. I think this would be great for writing presentations and our read-a-thon days.
2. They can take past concepts learned in the classroom and make a review video for the class. This would be a great station. Plus the videos they make would be a great review for the students and be a new resource for the teacher.
3. They can make videos about their holidays. It would be another way to get to know the students at the beginning of the year.
Tool #6
The students could use the Wikis to work on team projects together (stories or research reports). This would allow all students in an assignment to have access to the document and work on it without always having to be near each other. This tool reminds me of the Google Documents.
I read on Teachers First - Elementary Ideas that teachers use Wikis to hold classroom discussions for their book clubs. I can see doing this every now and then, but I still want my students discussing their books in person with each other.
I also liked, on the same site, that teachers use the document to collaborate on lesson plans, grade level functions (field trips and birthdays), and keep records of their students data. This would, like Google Documents, help cut back on some of the time spent trying to get everyone together for meetings and still allow for separate inputs to be contributed.
I read on Teachers First - Elementary Ideas that teachers use Wikis to hold classroom discussions for their book clubs. I can see doing this every now and then, but I still want my students discussing their books in person with each other.
I also liked, on the same site, that teachers use the document to collaborate on lesson plans, grade level functions (field trips and birthdays), and keep records of their students data. This would, like Google Documents, help cut back on some of the time spent trying to get everyone together for meetings and still allow for separate inputs to be contributed.
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